It would be correct to state that opinion is sharply divided regarding whether or not going for self-publishing is a great idea. When it comes to the buying of books, conservative readers might think books not available on paper (eBooks) might lack authenticity and quality worth their money. At the same, a number of conservative authors see self-publishing as a short cut not worth the risk especially due to quality concerns. However, credible evidence suggests that online self-publishing companies are actually selling millions of titles on eBooks, with Amazon leading the pack.
As such, it is understandable to see many unpublished authors go for online eBook publishing platforms such as CreateSpace, Lulu etc. Surely, a sizeable proportion of what Amazon rakes in belongs to such authors. However, a big question still lingers- is every single self-publisher out there really cutting it?
The answer might be every simple here. For starters, not every author in the mainstream scenario has a best seller in the market. Thus, it seems that success in the business of writing books boils down to an individual’s own efforts and circumstances. So what can you do to make self-publishing work for you?
For a fact, you can turn self-publishing into a very lucrative business. Of course, we can’t overemphasize the fact that your work must be professional in its every single dimension. Make sure to submit an error free title in areas of grammar or formatting. Since mistakes might happen during novel-to-eBook conversion, remember to check you work for such or use professional eBook formatting services.
Take advantage of Print-on-Demand (PoD) to increase distribution options and hence widen your target market. PoD allows your eBook to compete effectively with print titles from mainstream production lines, not to mention the fact you net more readers this way.
Market your book aggressively online. Create hype around your book in writers’ forums, book clubs etc. Use social media to create buzz around your book even before it’s off production lines. This serves to create positive anticipation and your eBook can do very well once it’s released into the market. Early advertising can do you a lot of good but make sure you intend to release your book soon, otherwise some potential readers might dismiss the hype for good.
Put up your own eStore and market it aggressively too. Demand a professional design for your eStore, especially the user interface to enhance customer experience and ultimately conversion rates. You may wish to employ Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to enhance your eStore’s web visibility. This will serve to bring relevant traffic to your site, which is what you need to increase online sales.
You are not a one hit wonder. On the other hand, are you? Writing one book and quitting may not define any one as a successful eBook writer. While making a good impression with your first title might pay handsomely, writing more can be more rewarding. Successful self-publishers utilize their talent beyond the limit. If you want to self-publish and make good money off it, do not stop writing good stories.
